Olympiakos name £8m price for Arsenal centre back target

Arsenal have been quoted a price of £8 million by Olympiakos for centre back Kostas Manolas, report the Independent, with Arsene Wenger believed to be lining up the Greek international as a potential replacement for former captain Thomas Vermaelen, who has been sold to Barcelona.

The 23 year-old impressed for Greece at the World Cup as they reached the knock-out stages and that form, coupled with his performances for Greek champions Olympiakos, have meant that Manolas has emerged as one of the most impressive young defenders in Europe.

Wenger allowed Vermaelen to leave the Emirates Stadium to join Barcelona for a fee in the region of £15m, leaving teenager Calum Chambers as the only real senior cover for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, despite only having just joined from Southampton and having spent the majority of his burgeoning career playing at right back.